Diocese of Pittsburgh

Assigned as Follows:

Summary of Allegations Against Father James Hopkins:

Diocesan records show that accusations against Father James Hopkins started in 1988 when he was sent for therapy after parents complained that he was abusing their son. Another accusation came to light in 1995, and he was removed from ministry. The abuse took place at St. Aloysius in Oaklyn when the victim was 10 years old. During his time serving in parishes in South Jersey, he allegedly sought help for being attracted to underage boys. According to media reports, he moved to Florida after being defrocked in 1995.

In 1999, the brother of the 1995 victim also accused Father Hopkins of abuse. The abuse of the brothers included groping, fondling, and being forced to perform oral sex. This case was settled between the family and the Diocese of Camden for $625,000 in 2001. Hopkins was arrested in 2003 and laicized in 2004. In 2005, he pled guilty to two charges of sexual abuse from 1995 and was sentenced to 8 years in an Avenel, New Jersey, center for sex offenders.

In 2012, another victim emailed the Diocese of Pittsburgh. He stated that Father Hopkins had given him a “medical exam.” He told him to bend over while he was naked and then made lewd comments about his behind. The victim was a freshman at St. Fidelis Seminary High School.

Hopkins is still living and is residing in the Atlantic City, New Jersey, area. He is 75 years old. Hopkins is a sex offender registered with the New Jersey State Police.

Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims and survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic priests and other clergy in the Diocese of Pittsburgh. If you need a lawyer because you were sexually abused by a priest in Pennsylvania, contact our office today. Although many years have passed, those abused by Catholic clergy in the Diocese of Pittsburgh now have legal options to recover damages due to a compensation fund created for victims. Contact us at (954) 641-2100 or adam@adamhorowitzlaw.com today.

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